First Look: 2015 Commencal Meta V4

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Max Commencal, philosopher and maker of bicycles, trying to hide his latest creation from the prying eyes of the internet.

1x drivetrain, 150/160mm travel, 650b wheels, 66-degree headangle, 438mm chainstays, 50mm stem, 13kg (28 pounds) and change - this is Enduro d'apres Commencal.

Tignes Val d'Isere provided the ideal playground for spending a couple of days with a passionate and knowledgeable group of people who make 'em like they like 'em.

The whole 2015 range is available in a principal colorway (yellow with black graphics in the case of the Meta V4), and a reversed version where the 2 primary colors are swapped. Both colors are equally at home in the big mountains.

The whole company got involved in designing the Meta V4, a flagship effort that is predicted to make up a large part of sales next year. Matthieu Beaube, Assistant Product Manager, makes sure it's dialed for manuals.

Pierre-Eduoard Ferry, aka PEF, Commencal's resident freerider and gentleman shredder insisted that even though it needs to be efficient and light, the bike should still be able to deal with whatever punishment he might dish out...

...and PEF doesn't pull any punches! He went so deep on this hip we were sure he'd nuked a wheel at least, but the Meta took it all in stride. #SAF

PEF blasting the new Meta. #SAF #powerofthebeard

Nicolas Menard, R&D Boss lets it all hang out while discussing the design imperatives underlying the design of the new bike.

A Meta for everybody. We were stoked to spend a couple of days testing Commencal's latest creation, and we were not disappointed. The bike remains a very capable and fun descender, while adding a whole new dimension of uphill prowess that we had not really seen before from the Andorrans.

The rear end was particularly impressive. Holding it wide open through the rough stuff on flat pedals simply never felt sketchy, yet we never discovered a real need to use the platform mode on the shock to help with climbing.

The shock placement in the top tube is one of the stand-out features on the Meta V4. It gives the bike a very clean look, and also serves several design goals at the same time. As for the carbon question, Max Commencal has strong feelings about the state of the carbon manufacturing industry which is likely the single most important reason why the company is not pursuing the fantastic plastic further at this point.

Tidy cable routing and top notch workmanship on display in the new Meta. With so much invested in the mastery of aluminium, it's not hard to see why Commencal feel like they don't need to move to carbon at this point.

The Meta V4 is made is Taiwan from 6066 T4+T6 aluminum, with triple butted, formed tubes to get the best ratio of weight to reliability. All pivots are machined post-welding to achieve perfect tolerances and ensure alignment of the moving parts. Photo: Samuel Decout

The designers spent a lot of time and went through several product iterations to get the flex of the new frame just right. PEF wasted no time stamping it with his approval too.

The Meta is a confidence-inspiring ride, which certainly never feels overly flexy. Point it where you want to go, and pull the trigger!

The distinctive top tube will take most shocks on the market, except the two offerings from Cane Creek.

With riders like PEF on your roster, you better make sure your bikes don't break easily. PEF may spend most of his time on his big bike, but you can be sure the new Meta won't be given much rest when he's not.

The compact linkage was designed both to reduce weight and of course to provide the required suspension characteristics. Mission accomplished on both fronts.

Sweating the details, care was taken to reduce the amount of rotation in the different pivots to reduce friction and improve small bump compliance.

We found no real weaknesses in the Meta's new linkage during our two days on the bike. A "simple" single pivot properly tuned will go a lot further than a complex system that is ill-suited to the application on hand. Whether it be climbing or descending, the new bike delivers.

The rear brake is tucked into the stays, out of harm's way. SRAM's new Guide RSC brakes performed their duty admirably during our two days on the new bike, even though we only got a 180mm rotor up front.

Commencal's 2015 range is impressive (more news to follow on that front later), and a new direct distribution model will put in within reach of a lot more people. As for the chalet used for the presentation, let's just say you'll need some connections...(Max back in audio)

Anyway, if you don't like the new distribution model, you can always take it up with PEF. #gentlegiant #BEARD

Shorter and slightly steeper, Commencal's DH sled in park mode. PEF's Red Bull Rampage weapon of choice, now available to you too!

With a new US office and a warehouse, Commencal bikes will be available to purchase online and direct as of September/October. Buying a Commencal stateside is about to get a whole lot easier, not to mention cheaper. Ooh la la!

In house component brand Alpha is another way for Commencal to provide competitive pricing and quality parts. The wheels on the Metas we rode didn't look any worse for wear after a short week of bike park shredding by the journalists on hand.

The BOS Deville is always a pleasure to ride. The build we rode is available as part of Commencal's "A la Carte" program (which is also sold and fulfilled directly from the company).

No doubt Commencal is one of the most serious players in the kids bike market. They even make their own forks when they can't find suitable options elsewhere. The shrunken versions look every bit as rad as the big boy toys!

Groms need not be stuck with hand-me-down small XC frames anymore...Commencal's kids range is awesome, and will now be available at a more affordable price thanks to the direct sales model. #dearsanta

Tignes Val d'Isere is a proper French mountain resort(s), every bit as charming as you could hope for. With 150 kms of lift-accessed trails AND THE LIFT PASS FOR FREE all summer, there is something here for everybody.

You read that right, the lift pass in Tignes Val d'Isere is free. But don't bother to go looking for this particular gap, because it's not there. #impossiblegap #somethingfromnothing #PEFonly #bunnyhopsandballs

They don't call him "Liquid Pierre" for nothing.

As a top-level athlete, PEF takes hydration very seriously. On that note, we say cheers from Tignes. Stay tuned for more Commencal news shortly!

Commencal's Meta bikes have been around for 10 years or so, and while they have always had a loyal following among the "trailbike-for-DHers" crowd, they have sometimes been let down by their climbing abilities - in the past. Today, the Andorran company is launching the 4th generation of its do-it-all enduro platform, aptly dubbed the Meta V4, and it is perhaps their most sophisticated and elaborate piece of work yet.

We spent a couple of days in the French mountain resorts of Tignes / Val d'Isere in the company of a group of journalists as well as Commencal staffers to discover the new bike and put it through its paces. Check out our First Look feature above for the action and to hear from the team at Commencal in person, then dig into specs, geo, and pricing info below.

2015 Commencal Meta V4 Highlights

Material: AL 6066 triple butted T4/T6 frame
Contact System: 150mm travel
200x57 shock piggy back
Hardware: 22,2x10 & 14x10
Head tube: Tapered ZS44/ZS56
Bottom bracket : BB92 Pressfit, ISCG 05 tabs
Rear axle: Maxle 142x12 / postmount 160mm
Seat tube: 31,6 mm diameter, stealth compatible
Front derailleur: High direct mount via an adapter
Rear brake: Postmount 160mm
Internal cable routing
C/S protector: Specific double density injected, integrated derailleur housing
Wheel size: 650b
4 sizes available: S, M, L & XL
Estimated frame weight: 3,0 kg without shock

Geometry

Build Kits and Pricing (European pricing shown)

Commencal "A la Carte"

Commencal is continuing its "A la Carte" program which basically allows the customer to configure his/her own bike and have it built by Commencal. New for this year is the ability to make a partial a la carte build, where any combination of parts is allowed (as long as a frame is purchased) - this means you can keep some of your old parts and only order new what you really need/want. Pricing is still very advantageous even for partial builds (better than buying parts at MSRP).

For more information, head on over to www.commencal.com

Feature and photos by Johan Hjord, unless otherwise noted

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First Look: 2015 Commencal Meta V4

2015 Commencal Meta V4 Highlights

Geometry

Build Kits and Pricing (European pricing shown)

Commencal "A la Carte"

For more information, head on over to www.commencal.com

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